[Foundation-l] Wikipedia-Freenode relations

[Tim Starling]

Elisabeth Bauer wrote:

>
> While I agree that we need a group contact, I'm against the use of 
> cloaks. It creates an IMO unnecessary distinction between "official" 
> and normal users and can lead for newbies to the false impression that 
> they get an somehow more "official" answer from someone with a cloak 
> when it's in fact only a personal opinion like that of many other 
> users. It destroys the fundamental equality of the people involved in 
> Wikimedia.
>
> If we use cloaks, it should be reserved to people on the board or 
> people with an existing official function (like developer liaision, 
> press contact...) not distributed arbitrarily by an "I trust you policy".
>
I thought so too, until I realised that they were useful for technical 
reasons, especially +I modes. That caused me to go from grumpily 
complaining about their problems to requesting one. Cloaks aren't highly 
visible, especially when users join the room before identifying with 
NickServ, as they often do. Some users have a cloak but don't bother 
identifying at all. I usually don't notice cloaks unless I go looking 
for them.

Most #wikipedia regulars seem to have a cloak now, so I'd expect a bit 
of opposition if we tried to take them away. Also, the Freenode staff 
seem to be very much in favour of the idea.

I often talk on IRC without having identified, and I've never been 
challenged by a newbie wanting "official" answers. I can't remember 
anyone ever commenting on the presence or absence of a cloak in relation 
to any kind of officialness.

-- Tim Starling